Compare internet providers like someone who's done this before
Provider websites are built to be compared favorably, not fairly. Here's how to line them up honestly — and the shortcut where we do it for your exact address while you're on the phone.
"We'll even tell you when a competitor is your best deal."Ignore the banner price. Compare these instead.
The month-13 price
Most headline prices are 12-month promos. The real comparison is what you'll pay in month 13 — often $20–30 higher. Always ask for both numbers.
Equipment, install & "service" fees
Two plans with the same headline price can differ by $15+/month once equipment rental and add-on fees land. Compare the all-in monthly total, not the ad.
Unlimited, or unlimited*
A cheap plan with a data cap can cost more than a pricier unlimited one after overage charges — especially for streaming households. Get the cap in writing.
The exit price
No-contract plans give you leverage forever. If a contract saves you money, fine — but know the early-termination fee before you sign, not after.
The Promo Cliff, visualized
Drag the two prices from any ad you've seen. Watch what actually happens to your bill in month 13.
Year 1 total: $540
Year 2 total: $900
Year 2 costs $360 more. That's not a raise. That's a cliff.
On your call we quote both numbers up front — the promo and the month-13 price — for every option at your address.
Fiber vs cable vs 5G home internet vs DSL vs satellite
The technology reaching your address matters more than the logo on the truck. Here's the honest matrix — full explainers on the types of internet page.
| Type | Typical speeds | Reliability | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 300 Mbps – 5 Gig, equal upload | Excellent | Everyone lucky enough to have it | Limited availability |
| Cable | 100 Mbps – 1 Gig+ down | Very good | Most urban & suburban homes | Slower uploads, promo cliffs |
| 5G home | 100 – 400 Mbps typical | Good | Rural homes, contract-haters, renters | Speeds vary with signal & congestion |
| DSL | 10 – 100 Mbps | Fair | Addresses with no better option | Aging tech — usually worth replacing |
| Satellite | 25 – 220 Mbps | Fair–good | Truly remote addresses | Latency, weather, equipment cost |
The typical big-provider experience vs one call to us
| The moment | Typical big-provider experience | With us |
|---|---|---|
| Getting an answer | Chatbot → hold queue → transfer → transfer | A person, usually in seconds |
| The quote | Promo price with asterisk archaeology | All-in monthly total, month 13 included |
| Options shown | Their network only | Every network at your address |
| The upsell | Gig plan for a two-person household | Right-sized — even when it pays us less |
| When you should stay put | They'll never say it | We say it. It happens weekly. |
Why no named-provider price table? Because provider prices and promos change monthly and vary by address — a static table would be wrong for your home within weeks. The comparison that's actually accurate is the live one we run for your exact address on the call.
The 60-second comparison script
Whether you call us or anyone else, these five questions expose the true cost of any internet plan:
- "What's the price in month 13?" — reveals the promo cliff.
- "What's the all-in monthly total with equipment and fees?" — reveals the fee stack.
- "Is there a data cap, and what happens if I pass it?" — reveals overage exposure.
- "Is there a contract, and what's the early-termination fee?" — reveals the exit price.
- "What speed do people at my address actually get?" — reveals brochure-vs-reality gaps.
Ask us all five. We like these questions — they're the reason we exist.